You know what they say about living in interesting times. 2020 has been interesting indeed. A little too interesting really. I hope we all live to tell the tale.

As I mentioned before in my 2019 MIDYEAR WRAP-UP, I don’t set reading goals because they’re jinxed. I go where my mood takes me or when I have an ARC to finish. I was lucky to be sent some audiobooks from exciting authors. We’ll get to that.

First, some updates…

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Updates

The biggest one so far is YAY! My blog has a new home!

Neverhollowed.com is up, alive and kicking! Bigger, better, still with the same two dorks gazing at each other silly.

Also, I’m so happy about this too, Never Hollowed By The Stare has reached 128 followers!!! Love you all for sticking with me!

On a personal note, I started a new job last March. Just in time for the lockdowns to start. I’m lucky I got into a good company who did not kick little rookie me out and instead allowed me to WFH. So yeah, messy year aside, my family is safe, I have a job, I have my blog. I have a lot to be thankful for!

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Mid-Year Reads

As of June 20, I have read a total of 65 book. Last year I have dabbled in non-fiction and graphic novels, but this year, it’s all MM romances.

Between her Nothing Special series, The Bounty Hunters, and Bishop‘s story, A.E. Via is my most read author so far. I’m totally trash for her brand of romance. I’ve finished 11 books and still can’t get enough.

I’ve only finished 2 series as of the mid-year.

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Exit Strategy by Jocelynn Drake – a pair of squeetastic mercenary boyfriends fighting for their freedom from the biz. (4 stars)

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Fog City by Layla Reyne – a twisty, action-suspense assassin story that ended with less bang than I expected. (3 stars)

Standalones are harder to find as most books are part of a series. Here are some standouts.

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The Remaking of Corbin Wale by Roan Parrish – a whimsical, oh so soft story about two wonderful people finding that magical connection. (5 stars)
Freckles by Amy Lane – a fluffy tale of a cute puppy bringing two do-gooding people together. (4 stars)
Kiss Me Again by Garrett Leigh – a sweet hurt/comfort story of two men who met at the hospital and made each other’s lives more colorful (4.5 stars)
Falling for My Roommate by Garrett Leigh – another hurt/comfort gem about two roommates who were so much, much more than that. (4 stars)

I am stingy with my stars but the first half of this year saw 5 books earning that golden 5-star rating:

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The Vampire’s Club Book 5 by X. Aratare – this little vampirelicious obsession of mine just keeps getting better and better
Promises Part 4 by A.E. Via – I knew early on Brian King’s book will be good but man, it really blew me away.
The Remaking of Corbin Wale by Roan Parrish – I really love those soft magical boys!
Tallowwood by N.R. Walker – police procedural, hurt/comfort at it’s best. Also, August has a dimple!
Any Old Diamonds by K.J. Charles – outstanding characterization and tension you can cut with a knife made this one of the author’s best.

What books made it to your 5-star list?

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Future Reads

I’m still trying to overcome my procrastination and get to those books that are part of the series I’m currently committed to. Those are my future reads.

Check out SERIES STUFF: Ongoing Series for a-rundown of the series I need to finish.

I received an ARC of Redemption by Garrett Leigh. The blurb reads:

Reformed gangster Luis falls hard for his boss. When friendship turns to love, it’s up to Paolo to convince him second chances are worth the pain.

This is going to be good, I just know it!.

I love audiobooks and I currently have 3 that are up for a listen.

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Promise is an ex-con/cop romance with a single dad on the run and an adorable daughter to protect. I just finished this. It fell something between like and love. I posted a review here.

I enjoyed most Garrett Leigh books so I immediately jumped on a chance to sign up for a review copy of Rented Heart, a rent boy romance. Expect a lot of angst.

The Young Americans is a series about actors. The second book, True Faith was just released. I’m excited to read that but first, I have the audiobook for Just Like Heaven! Yay!

What are your audiobook picks for this year?

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TAGS and MISC Posts

NEW YEARS TAG
THE MUSIC TAG
BOOKS I DNFed OR PUT ON HOLD
BOOKS I DNFed OR PUT ON HOLD (Part 2)
ALPHABETICALS BOOK TAG: A
ALPHABETICALS BOOK TAG: B
SERIES STUFF: Begin the Begin
SERIES STUFF: The Finished Ones
SERIES STUFF: Series I Dropped
SERIES STUFF: Ongoing Series
Possible Queer Story Prompts Inspired by Songs
MINI MOVIE REVIEWS: From Rom-Coms to Serial Killers
MINI MOVIE REVIEWS: A Bit of Drama and Some Hokey Vampires
FAVORITE COVERS: May 2020

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So that’s my midyear wrap-up for 2020. Here’s hoping the rest of the year treats us well!